As the 2017 – 2018 academic year draws to a close, I want to express to all of you my deepest appreciation for your support and a most earnest commendation for a job well done. From time to time I tell people that the RBS is the best public elementary school in West Harlem. I realize that’s a bit arrogant. Still, it is true that the RBS have had a succession of outstanding years, allowing us as professionals to concentrate on our kids and their educational program. As a school community, we have not suffered as other schools with the negative effects of declining student enrollment or internal distractions that often shift attention away from student achievement. Nor have we experienced the difficulties that others regularly encounter when changing their programs or curriculum.

I know that we are not a perfect school, that up close there is much that can be improved. Still, I am continually impressed with the community-wide respect that we are afforded as educators. Parents/caregivers support and encourage us, and the kids, by and large, come to school daily, ready and eager to learn. In truth, our jobs are made easier by the absence of distractions and the respect the West Harlem community holds for its kids and for learning in general.

I also tell others that the RBS enjoys effective operations because the educators, administration, and support staff have collectively agreed to roll up their sleeves and go about their work in a serious and professional manner. As a result, the majority of kids are challenged across a broad spectrum of classes and well-planned extra curricular activities. This is made possible because of the staff’s collective work ethic and belief that our students are capable—physically, emotionally, and intellectually—of achievement levels much higher than might be expected elsewhere. As a school we promote, choice, interest, play and social-emotional development and we push our kids academically, we expect them to demonstrate pro-social behaviors, and we are willing to invest in ourselves in helping them to understand everything from the beginning sounds of words to the complexities of human rights.

As another outstanding year of teaching and learning comes to a close, I take this opportunity to thank the custodial team, school safety agents, food service staff, school aides, paraprofessionals, teachers, school psychologist, school social worker, guidance counselor, community base partners, volunteers, BMCC/Kellogg Grant Faculty for your good efforts and hard work. We make a difference in the lives of our kids and through them I believe we are making the world incrementally a better place for everyone.

Enjoy the summer respite. Relax, read a good book, and enjoy your time with friends, family and loved one. The RBS will be open for summer school starting July 5 – August 10 and you are encouraged to stop by and say hello!

On April 27 it was our pleasure, to welcome Chancellor Richard Carranza to our school to our early childhood programs in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. He visited Ms. Serrano/Ms. Estrella and Ms. Michelle/Mr. Jose. The visit was outstanding as he moved from room to room seeing children engaged in learning stations/learning centers that were of interest to them. It is my judgment that Chancellor Carranza gained tremendous appreciation of a progressive philosophy and strong teaching practices he observed. All of us at the RBS thank the kids, families and educators from those classes for their exemplary service as models of academic excellence.

We begin this month by celebrating our wonderful staff and recognizing all mothers. The second week of May (the week of May 7 - 11) is Staff Appreciation Week. One of the nicest gifts a scholar or parent/caregiver can give a staff member is a letter of appreciation for a staff member’s file or a card. I accept letters throughout the school year and during the summer so please feel free to send these in at your convenience.

With the change in the weather and the increase in scholar activities after-school, we are seeing some overall changes in the upper grade scholars. Behavior is a little looser, homework is being missed and overall scholars appear to be ready for a summer vacation. The teachers and I have talked with scholars reminding them that we are looking for their best behavior in the classrooms, playground, bus, and all areas of their school day. We expect all scholars to behave in a respectful and safe manner. We are proud of them and their accomplishments and encourage scholars to finish their school year doing their best!

Thank you to those parents/caregivers who completed the School Survey. The responses from this survey are used to establish priorities for the school like how we can improve communication to parents/caregivers, enriching the existing curriculum and ensuring that the learning environments are inclusive for all scholars.

Many thanks to Mr. Blatman for all of his amazing efforts in sponsoring and coordinating the District 5 STEM Expo being held on Saturday, May 19th. This is the 10 year anniversary for the STEM Expo!!! We love seeing all of the projects and are pleasantly surprised to see new explorations! We are thrilled that this STEM Expo provides scholars an opportunity to collaborate on projects where they investigated something they were wondering about. Hats off to our budding scientists!!!

This is in response to certain parents/caregivers that have raised concerns about some faculty members. You can be assured that I am committed to having staff at our school that are dedicated to the program here. Naturally, I would hope that all staff members at the RBS support the vision, goals and purpose of progressive education. It is reasonable to expect that if a problem does exist relative to a staff member that I will address it. Teachers are dedicated professionals and should always be afforded the thought that they operate with best intentions towards our kids.

We want to wish all moms a very wonderful Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13th.

There will be no school for scholars on Monday, May 28th in observance of Memorial Day. Thank you to all families who have lost a loved one or who has a loved one currently serving in the armed services on behalf of our country. We recognize the sacrifice that families make in support of loved ones who serve.

Spring Break is finally here. It is hard to believe that we have only a few months left in the 2017 -2018 school year. I would like to take a moment to thank you for your hard work this year! You are all vital to the success of students. Whether you are off March 30th – April 8th or not, I hope that all of you have the opportunity to reflect, refresh and rejuvenate yourselves with family and friends.

I have to send a special shout-out to my amazing Parents Association. This year this core group has continued building bridges with our faculty across all grade levels and job titles. They continue to create amazing opportunities for families to be involved and to ensure that parents’/caregivers’ voices are heard. I can’t say thank you enough for all that you do for our school and community.

It felt great at the CEC meeting having such a diverse group of stakeholders support me and our school. Our struggles about having an equitable distribution of space for our kids must be viewed as a priority for the superintendent and CEC. It is unconscionable that the DOE does not consider PK students into their formula for space allocations on a campus. This lack of consideration allows CSS to feel that we should be allocated less time during the regular and after-school days. One of my reasons for not having the 3K program here was our present inability to provide effective physical education inside of our (2) gymnasiums.

Our projected enrollment for 2018 – 2019 is 328 students. Everyone that is new to our school wonders why families want to join the RBS family (we know that it is for a lot of reasons that families select the RBS.) I believe prospective and current families know that our kids are loved, nurtured, supported, and encouraged to be the best version of themselves. They know that somebody believes in them!

A lot of discussions have been taking place since the Parkland shooting about strengthening the school’s safety protocols. One area for concern was the basement entrance to the swimming pool from the main entrance. There is a locked and alarmed door that now protects the space. The door is a barrier however we need all kids, families and staff to adhere to our safety protocols. It has come to my attention that a few parents/caregivers are engaging in a verbal exchange with the School Safety Agents regarding their entrance to the school. NO ONE without the appropriate identification will have access. This is done to ensure that the 1, 450 students and 200 staff members from all (3) schools are safe. Should you not abide by our building safety policies then I will have to ban you from the building. Do not verbally attack the agents should you or your designee not have the appropriate identification. Please ask that they contact an administrator in the main office.

Talking to Children About Recent School Shooting

After the tragic event that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut, elementary schools throughout the country have been encouraged to support parents in facilitating conversations with students about this tragedy. Here are a few tips from the Center for Emotionally Responsive Practice at Bank Street:

1. Listen. Find out what children know, have heard, and have seen.

2. Provide containing information. Ex: “Here are some of the things that we know: It happened in Florida, in the South Eastern part of the United States. The gunman was caught and arrested, so he can't hurt anyone else.” Let children who have been to Florida talk about that.

3. Find out what children are wondering. (Why? How? etc.)

4. Reassure children that they are safe in their school. Reference things that are in place, like security guards, connection to precinct, rules about guns in New York City and New York State, safety drills.

5. Make a blank book where children can write or draw about what happened if they are worried.

6. Offer the option of writing letters to children who live where the violence happened and might be feeling afraid and sad.

7. For older kids who bring up issues about guns, let them research, write their opinions about gun ownership, gun control, etc. Give them the option to write letters to congressmen, etc.

2nd – 5th Grade Scholar in Danger to Not Meet Promotional Standards

If you are concerned that your 2nd – 5th grade scholar is in danger to not meet promotional standards, then you must set-up an appointment to speak with the classroom teacher, Ms. Hernandez and myself. Our school’s policy is to use a holistic approach of examining student work samples (reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, science) from September – June [students with IEPs and/or ELLs will be evaluated according to DOE policies.]

Some 2nd – 5th grade students may require summer school to be able to demonstrate their readiness to complete work at the next grade level. Summer School dates are July 5- August 9 (8am – 2:30pm/ Monday – Thursday.)

Important Dates

Ø School Leadership Team April 10th

Ø New York State ELA Tests April 11th – 12th

Ø Parent Association Meeting April 16th

Ø iReady/Literacy Coach Meeting April 17th

Ø BioBus for PK – 2nd Grade April 20th

***Math State Tests are May 1st – 2nd.

Up to 40 percent of children in our country experience outdoor allergies. If welcoming the new season means welcoming more sneezing and sniffling around your house, then your kids might be suffering from allergies. As the weather changes and becomes warmer we will spend more time outdoors. Seasonal allergies occur mainly with pollen so it comes from plants, weeds, grasses and trees. Typically, it comes from trees early in the spring, so in April and May.

In kids typically, we sometimes see a myriad of problems that are related to the congestion [caused by allergies]. Fatigue, especially during the daytime, poor concentration in class, learning problems and other difficulty in class can all be related to nasal congestion, because kids won't be sleeping as well at night. And then during the daytime, they're blowing their nose a lot and experiencing other symptoms. It can make having a good day very challenging. Please inform your child’s teacher and the nurse about any allergies your child might have.

Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. The United States has observed it annually throughout the month of March since 1987.

Many times parents (and guardians) are asked by faculty, "What can they do at home to help their child be successful at school?" My answer is quite simple, "Get involved in what is taking place in your child’s classroom and school community.” You must share a passion for thinking, learning and being curious about the world we live in. Allow your child to see this infectious spirit to learn and question more about our world. Read with your child every day. Before, during, and after the reading, praise your child, direct a discussion about the story, ask questions, visualize the story, offer information, share personal reactions, and relate the story to life experiences. Most of all enjoy the story together and let your child see that reading is fun. Cherish this special time together!

Spring Parent-Caregiver Teacher Conference will take place on Thursday, March 15th. Please make an effort to attend either the day or evening session. Below are some suggested questions you can use to inform your meeting:§ What academic standards do you use, and what do I need to know about them?

§ How is my child doing socially?

§ What are my child’s strengths… challenges?

§ What can I do at home to support what you’re doing in the class?

§ How will you respond if or when my child struggles in class?

§ What are the most important and complex (content-related) ideas my child needs to understand by the end of the year?

§ Do you focus on strengths or weaknesses?

§ How are creativity and innovative thinking used on a daily basis in your classroom?

§ How is critical thinking used on a daily basis in your classroom?

§ How are assessments designed to promote learning rather than simple measurement?

§ What can I do to support literacy in my home?

§ What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my children on a daily basis about your class?

§ How exactly is learning personalized in your classroom? In the school?

§ How do you measure academic progress?

§ What are the most common instructional or literacy strategies you will use this year?

§ What learning models do you use (e.g., project-based learning, mobile learning, game-based learning, etc.), and what do you see as the primary benefits of that approach?

§ What are the best school or district resources that we should consider using as a family to support our child in the classroom?

§ Is there technology you'd recommend that can help support my child in self-directed learning?

§ What are the most common barriers you see to academic progress in your classroom?

With the second term well under way, we want to thank everyone for your continued support of our scholars, teachers, and school as we collectively strive to provide optimal opportunities for learning each and every day. In addition, we want to also thank our Parent Association for working hard to make our Pre-Kindergarten Open House Event a success. This year, instead of staff leading the tour we allowed our parents/caregivers to lead the open house events for prospective families. Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten Open House will take place on February 7th.

RBS administration and faculty value the important contributions families make towards a scholar’s success in school. There is no question about—success at school starts at home. Families are the most significant influence in a scholar’s schooling. Families model both spoken and silent language in front of their scholars. One of the great hallmarks of a great school is the partnership between the school and families who work together for the best interest of all RBS scholars. Make an effort to participate in the Parent Association.

Family has been the foundation of African American culture from times of slavery through the turbulent days of forced racial segregation. Family is not only defined by our blood lines but by our shared commitment to each other as members of this community. In the month of February we recognize the central role of African Americans in American history like Dr. Ralph J. Bunche. Our theme this year is “Embracing our Greatness.” Ralph Bunche, Barack Obama, Charles Drew, Carter G. Woodson, W.E. B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Nat Turner, Garrett Morgan, Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells, Phyllis Wheatley, Ronald McNair, Madame C.J. Walker, Mae Jemison, Shirley Caesar and Michelle Obama. The theme for Black HistoryMonth 2018 honors "African Americans in Times of War" like thelegendary Tuskegee Airmen, who were highlydecorated for their service in World War II.

Scholars need to be provided time to explore their world and experience the joy of discovery. As we celebrate this month, it is helpful to keep in mind the contributions made by all ethnic groups but more importantly African Americans. School and home must work together to build skills and knowledge, develop a strong sense of self-worth and reinforce values.

At the beginning of this school year we set out to increase our attendance rate to be over 90%. It is with great sadness that I report that we are not meeting our goal and below citywide expectations for an elementary school. We continue to share with families that attendance and lateness concerns negatively impacts a scholar’s performance in class.

TIPS for Families

· Let your scholar know that you think school is important.

· Set a regular bedtime and enforce it.

· Provide your scholar with plenty of time to get ready for school.

· Provide an alternate transportation plan for getting your scholar to school on time.

· Make sure your scholar arrives at school on time daily. Classes begin promptly at 8:00a.m. Scholars should arrive at least ten minutes early.

· Plan medical, dental, and other appointments before and after school if possible. If appointments must be during the school day, plan them so that your scholar does not miss the same class every time.

· Request a meeting with the school’s Attendance Team or Parent Coordinator to discuss your scholar’s attendance concerns.

If your scholar should arrive late to school, please come in to the main office and sign them in. If this is not possible, you may send your scholar with a note from your, doctor/dental/court excuse slip to let us know your scholar will be arriving after 8:00a.m. Our scholars would not be as successful as they are without your support.

New York City Education Neglect Law states that parents/caregivers who fail to have their children attend school are subject to the following:

· Neglect charges may be filed against the parent/caregiver;

· Students may be referred to the Family Court and other community based interventions

No school on Friday, February 16th due to the Luna New Year holiday. There will be no classes during February 19 – 23 due to the Mid-Winter Recess. All scholars are expected to be back on Monday, February 26, 2018.

Happy New Year!!! It may be 5 degrees and windy in Harlem, however we have the comfort of watching snowflakes falling while sipping on a delicious marshmallow filled cup of hot chocolate. I love WINTER!!! Having survived the first term, we stand ready to finish the school year with confidence. My hope is that you too, will look forward to the challenges of the new term. Build on your achievements and put away your past disappointments.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to refresh—whether you want to jumpstart your personal goals, make meaningful decisions at home and with your school work, or find your inner-center. This is the perfect time to stop playing old messages about who we think we are and make a bold statement to record a new, improved message.

Beginning this month, and throughout the month of February we are hosting open houses for prospective Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten families. (The deadline to apply for Kindergarten is January 12, 2018.) It is our desire to share with the community all the amazing things taking place here at the RBS. We earned the distinction of being rated as the “top performing elementary school” and now we need to open our doors and share how we earned that grade.

Please be sure to check our school website on a regular basis for up-to-date information.

Unfortunately, during the winter months many schools across New York City notice a drop in their attendance average. Parents/caregivers, please continue to reinforce good attendance habits with your son/daughter. Attendance and accuracy of attendance is extremely important in school. Excessive absences may result in missing work, which is difficult to make up, losing continuity in school work, and poor grades during the grading period.

It is our desire that the second half of the school year be excellent for all. If you need to meet with the dean, parent coordinator, after-school supervisor, or myself do not hesitate to contact us. We suggest that parents/caregivers call first to schedule appointments before coming in so that you will not experience any delays.

Throughout 2018 you will see changes based on feedback from families, all driven by your desire to make the RBS the shining star of Harlem. Every step we take in this journey we will do together to make our community stronger, wiser and better for our children.

Stay warm and know that sounds of birds chirping is not that far away.

As we end 2017, I would like to thank you for your commitment to the Ralph Bunche School and to the belief in a public school education. The success we have experienced since the opening of the school year owes a great deal to parents/caregivers and families like yours. I wish you a restful winter break and hope you enjoy this time with your scholar (s). For the New Year, I wish you health and happiness and hope the winter recess provides a myriad of opportunities for you and your scholar (s) to do things you might not be able to accomplish when school is in session.

Our scholars and staff have accomplished a lot during our first few months of school. Professional development helps our teachers dive deeper into the child-centered philosophy of teaching and learning. Our child-centered vision is designed to use a child’s natural curiosity to drive their learning inside of the classroom. The standards help teachers design the best lessons and help scholars set goals for success. Our professional development focused on how to help teachers build an environment where scholars can effectively engage in a wide range of rigorous, content-rich conversation, safe, supportive and collaborative. Scholars learn through play and when they have choice. At the Ralph Bunche School our instructional focus is on developing academic vocabulary.

We believe in the importance of family traditions and holidays, and sharing them with one another at school. We welcome families to teach us about their heritages, thus strengthening the connection between home and school. We like to involve the children in hands-on activities.

We encourage each of you to join us in our celebrations. Even if you can’t be with us, please share your family’s traditions, recipes for holidays and any special items that reflect your heritage.

**Parent Engagement meetings are scheduled each Tuesday from 2:20pm – 3:35pm. You are invited to meet with your scholar’s teacher to discuss the learning expectations for the term and to address any issues or concerns.

I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. School is closed beginning December 23rd. During winter break there will be a myriad of opportunities to create a stronger bond with your scholar (s) and continue to support their academic growth and success. The holidays are good times for story telling around the dinner table or routines like bedtime reading that cultivate connections between home and school expectations. Young scholars do best with regular schedules, and I encourage you to prepare for their return to school on January 2nd by instilling in them an understanding about the importance of being rested and ready to learn.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from our Ralph Bunche School family to yours.

Even though the weather keeps changing on us and the leaves are falling with brilliant colors of orange, red and yellow to decorate our school grounds the academic process here at the RBS is staying constant. The teachers and scholars have established their routines and procedures for class lessons. November is an important time for us all to reflect on the many blessings bestowed upon us. I am certainly thankful for the many blessings in my life, including working with the amazing scholars, parents/caregivers, teachers, and support staff at the Ralph Bunche School. This being our third year as a progressive school is exciting because I am thankful that I have 100% support from the educators that I lead. When you take on an endeavor like this you need to know that you have the support of your staff and they have taken a leap of faith with me that this is the right approach for our school and the community.

Thomas Jefferson said, “Education is the foundation of democracy.” The importance of participating in the democratic process was instilled in me at a very early age. Every election year, my house was filled with lively political discourse as my parents debated the important issues of the day like Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, or free breakfast in schools. They conveyed to their children the serious implications of political action.

My mother had the responsibility of insuring that voting in our home was the priority on Election Day. She would leave home with me and my twin sister along for the journey. My mother would remind us of the sacrifices made and instilled in us this responsibility of honoring our civic duty. We would sit in awe as we learned about a time when people of color or women were denied this right. Then she would remind us that when we grew older, we would have the opportunity to exercise our rights and responsibilities as a citizen of this great country.

I still take those rights and responsibilities very seriously--especially as a principal. One of the jobs of educators is to ensure that our students graduate and enter college with the ability to think critically. The classroom is a training ground where children learn how to participate in the democratic process. Through critical thinking, problem solving, respectful debate, and exposure to diverse opinions, children become informed citizens who learn how to ask pertinent questions, formulate defensible opinions to complex issues, and understand the responsibilities and limitations of power. Opportunities like turn and talk, Socratic seminar, and other group interactions teach our students that active participation is the most effective means for change. We want our students to begin to think about themselves as stewards of this amazing democracy.

An African proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Whether you can give an hour, time once a week or once a month, we need you here. If it works to participate as a classroom representative, Parent Association meeting, or SLT meeting, we will make sure that your time is well spent. You just need to get involved. Contact our Parent Coordinator, Griselda Hernandez, and she will assist in providing you the details about the meetings. Aliya Thomas and Tomoi Zeimer, Parent Association Co-Presidents have done a superb job working hard to strengthen the bond between home and school and they are always seeking additional support for the school community. Democracy is not only something that we talk about it is alive in our actions. We believe in all children having access to a quality education that allows them the opportunity to fully participate in a global society.

The RBS Parent Association and Office of the Parent Coordinator were extremely generous during the Book-A-Ween Parade on October 31st. Thank you for donating treats and toys. The parade was such a success because families created a safe, warm environment for our scholars to show off their favorite storybook characters. It was great to see scholars discuss why they selected their character based on the character’s strengths. Thank you also to the parents/caregivers who volunteered to supervise Book-A-Ween parties in the classrooms.

During the October 24th assembly, scholars participated in an assembly focusing on United Nations Day. The performers at our assembly were Samba New York. Kudos to the scholars that showed off their new samba moves in front of the audience. When scholars value diversity, they become responsible world citizens.

I am grateful to work with a committed group educators that are always striving to improve their practices. We are fortunate to have many great academic institutions supporting us in this work. BMCC has always had a relationship with the RBS. They have placed their student teachers here to gain the experience of what it is like to be an educator in a West Harlem public school. Many thanks to Rebecca and her associate Cara for always believing in what the RBS could be!!!

Parent/Caregiver-Teacher Conference is scheduled for Thursday, November 16th from 12:20pm – 2:20pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm. Please note that all kids will be dismissed at 11:30am. It is very important that you take part in this conversation with your child’s teacher because the work we do together is a partnership. Kids must see us both as stewards of their learning. I found some questions on edutopia that I want to share:

v What academic standards do you use, and what do I need to know about them?

v How is my child doing socially?

v What are my child’s strengths… challenges?

v What can I do at home to support what you’re doing in the class?

v How will you respond if or when my child struggles in class?

v What are the most important and complex (content-related) ideas my child needs to understand by the end of the year?

v Do you focus on strengths or weaknesses?

v How are creativity and innovative thinking used on a daily basis in your classroom?

v How is critical thinking used on a daily basis in your classroom?

v How are assessments designed to promote learning rather than simple measurement?

v What can I do to support literacy in my home?

v What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my children on a daily basis about your class?

v How exactly is learning personalized in your classroom? In the school?

v How do you measure academic progress?

v What are the most common instructional or literacy strategies you will use this year?

v What learning models do you use (e.g., project-based learning, mobile learning, game-based learning, etc.), and what do you see as the primary benefits of that approach?

v What are the best school or district resources that we should consider using as a family to support our child in the classroom?

v Is there technology you'd recommend that can help support my child in self-directed learning?

v What are the most common barriers you see to academic progress in your classroom?

v How is education changing?

v How do you see the role of the teacher in the learning process?

v What am I not asking but should be?

Thank you to all of the families that have shared their information to join our Bloomz community. All of us believe in effective communication and we have found Bloomz to be a useful tool for sharing anecdotes about the school day, posting announcements, or organizing field trip volunteers. I know that many of you value transparency and so we ask you to sign up for Bloomz with your child’s teacher.

Recent research has found that regular attendance and arriving to school on time is crucial to a child’s success, and that even a minimal number of absences or lateness during the school year can have a serious impact on a scholar’s ability to achieve. If you have any questions or need any assistance please contact our attendance coordinator (Benjy Blatman) at 212-666-6400. You may also speak with Ms. Hernandez, Parent Coordinator.

Yours in Education,

Reginald Higgins

Principal

Things to Remember

· No school for kids on Tuesday, November 7th.

· Parent/Caregiver-Teacher Conference is November 16th (12:20pm – 2:20pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm.) All kids will be dismissed at 11:30am.

· School is closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th for Thanksgiving.

· There is no Boys and Girls Club After-School on November 7th, 16th and 22nd.

It is hard to believe that one month of the school year has already concluded. I participated in a LPP meeting and we were expected to share data that we feel highlights successful work taking place at our school. Some on my team remarked that we should not use our state test scores to document the successful work at our school. After, I thought about it for a while I agreed that we’ve never been a “test-driven” school community and that it would be unfair to paint ourselves in such manner. However, I did want to challenge the mental models that exist in regards to how Black and Latino kids perform on standardized assessments. There are individuals that continue to make the argument that Black and Latino kids will continue to struggle on standardized assessments unless we provide more support and resources to prepare them for the test—teaching to the test.

I’ve found that providing a well-rounded instructional program, focused professional development, effective parent engagement and responsive techniques that address the social and emotional needs of kids yield positive learning outcomes for all. Over the last three years many outsiders attribute our success to a changing demographic of “new families” and that is the reason that our state test scores remain strong. This point fails to take into consideration that the children taught within a progressive framework are now in second grade and that the students who continue to follow a traditional approach to teaching and learning still make up the testing grades (many of these families have lived in the community for generations.) We are very proud that in ELA 56% and in math 56% of third through fifth graders at the Ralph Bunche School scored at a “proficient” level on the statewide assessments—the highest proficiency levels in Community School District 5. Juan Tinch, 4th grade scholar achieved a PERFECT score on his mathematics assessment. This year’s ELA score is a 17% increase and the math is a 3% increase over last year’s. I have often said that if we allow teachers to teach in meaningful, relevant and engaging ways, that scholars chances of demonstrating proficiency are enhanced versus having them sit through test-prep all day. These scores tend to verify that.

Still, while we are elated with being the number one elementary school in Community School District 5 and excited to be closing the achievement gap, we know that test scores are only one measure of student learning. If we allow ourselves as a school and as a community to be overly focused on test scores to the detriment of other learning, our scholars will not have the variety of opportunities necessary to become all that they could become academically, artistically, athletically, and as contributing members of our society.

Attend an America Scores soccer game, the RBS has Got Talent, Behind the Book, NYC Ballet Performances, Young Audiences of NY Performances, Little Orchestra Society, Gospel for Pre-Teens, Swim-for-Life classes, Studio in a School Showcase, Doing Art Together Showcase, District 5 Spelling Bee, District 5 STEM Expo, Harlem Grown Farm or a myriad of other activities that clearly demonstrate our scholars’ knowledge and skills, and you will see that these scholars surprise and delight us every day. I was especially impressed with the efforts our scholars made to contribute to the Puerto Rican Hurricane Maria Drive. Kids and families working together to support those in need. As a school community we also recognize that our brothers and sisters in the U.S. Virgin Islands also need our assistance and the kids will be hosting a drive to support USVI too.

Taken together, these results are much more powerful than a single test score, and they demonstrate that our scholars are receiving a high-quality education of which we can all be very proud because we have all had a part in it. We have teachers, paraprofessionals, school aides and administrators who are some of the best in New York City and who care deeply about their scholars. We have wonderful scholars who take responsibility for their learning and want to learn, and we are fortunate with involved parents/caregivers and community members who have high expectations and strongly support their local public school.

Teachers are busy implementing new lessons that coincide with the Common Core Learning Standards in the major academic areas of English Language Arts and math. Scholars are learning new ways to solve problems and think critically. Teachers have been administering baseline assessments in English Language Arts and math. These formative assessments helps teachers isolate objectives that scholars have mastered and objectives that need to be re-taught.

With the start of a new school year upon us, there are many changes at the RBS. We have some returning and new teachers, returning and new paraprofessionals, new assistant principal, a new schedule and many other exciting changes.

Francesca Florio, Kindergarten Teacher

Jamilah Nieves, Second/Third Grade Teacher

Mandy Mazel, Fourth Grade Teacher

Adam Kidder, Art Specialist Teacher

Crystal Edwards, Occupational Therapist

I want to personally thank all the families for stopping by our Open School Night. A special acknowledgement for the men that brought their scholars to school for “Dads Take Your Kids to School.” We hope you can find a way to be a part of our school community as either a volunteer, classroom representative, or a spectator at one of the many events throughout the year. A well-rounded education requires everyone getting involved in student learning. Whether it be volunteering, ensuring your scholar is well-rested and prepared for school, or consistently reviewing homework on a nightly basis, all efforts will result in heightened student engagement in school.

The fall is a very busy time here at the Ralph Bunche School:

SLT Meeting October 3rd 4:00pm

Family Day Potluck Picnic (Morningside Park—120th ST) October 14th 12:00pm

PA Meeting October 17th 6:00pm

Hispanic Heritage Celebration October 16th 4:30pm

Title I Parent Meeting October 23rd 5:00pm

United Nations Day Assembly October 24th 9:00am

Progressive Ed PD October 25th 9:00am

Progressive Ed PD October 26th 5:30pm

Book-a-Ween Parade October 31st 1:30pm

(THERE IS NO SCHOOL on October 9th.)

There will be a myriad of opportunities for you to be involved with the RBS staff, families and scholars this month. Aliya Thomas and Tomoi Zeimer are Co-Presidents of the Parent Association. Make this year memorable by becoming active in your school’s Parent Association.

School attendance is not just required by law, it is critical to scholars’ success in school and life. Please read Chancellor’s Regulation A-210 very carefully. It details the attendance policy of New York City public schools. It is important for every scholar to attend school every day. Absences should occur only for the reasons outlined in this policy. If your scholar is absent from school, you must send a written excuse to the school. Unexcused absences will be referred to the guidance counselor, social worker, and attendance coordinator. Please note that absences for family trips are unexcused unless approved in advance by the principal.

Research shows that children who are chronically absent -- that is, they miss 20 or more days of school in a given schoolyear -- are less likely to graduate from high school . This includes students who miss just two days a month, which adds up to 20 days a year.

In addition, analysis of national testing data shows that scholars who miss more school than their peers consistently score lower on standardized tests , no matter their age, demographic group, or state or city.

With the change in our school schedule it is important that scholars are picked up immediately at dismissal. Our school day officially ends at 2:20pm and there is no adult supervision after that time. Please call (212) 666-6400 if you are going to be late picking your scholar up from dismissal. This courtesy will greatly reduce the number of calls we must make to inform you that your scholar has not been picked up

I encourage you all to embrace our instructional focus of developing academic vocabulary skills. We are off to an auspicious school year!

Welcome back! I hope you all had a fine vacation and are looking forward with enthusiasm to the new school year.

Now starting my seventh year at the RBS, I would also like to use this letter to tell you why I am so pleased to be part of this community. P.S. 125--The Ralph Bunche School is considered to be among the finest elementary schools in Community School District 5. The RBS is routinely recognized for educational excellence. Such recognition does not occur by chance. It is the result of three things: supportive parents/caregivers, motivated students and dedicated staff members.

Every year we invite our parents/caregivers--indeed, urge them--to volunteer at the school with the Parent Association and/or as a Classroom Representative. There are many tasks that volunteers can perform. If you are interested in joining, please call (212) 666-6400 ext. 2004 to speak with Griselda Hernandez, Parent Coordinator or email PA President Aliya Thomas at anpurdy@hotmail.com.

You are cordially invited to attend a Parent-Teacher Conference with your son or daughter on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 4:30p.m. The first part of the meeting will be held in the RBS Auditorium. At this meeting we will introduce you to the teachers and curriculum of the school. Much of the time will be spent in your child's classroom explaining the teacher's vision and their expectations for the year. School personnel will be open to suggestions from parents/caregivers and students regarding the curriculum and extra-curricular activities. Please mark your calendar: Wednesday, September 13, at 4:30p.m. This is an important meeting for both parents/caregivers and students.

Second, a reminder: School starts on Thursday, September 7. 1st - 5th grade students will meet on the playground (RBS Auditorium for inclement weather.) Please note that drop-off for first grade will take place directly in the classroom beginning on Monday, September 11. 2nd - 5th grade will always meet on the playground for morning line-up.

Pre-K follows a graduated schedule for the first two days of school. We begin with a 1-hour and a half session on Thursday, September 7, the first group (A - L) will be from 9a.m. - 10:30a.m. and the second group (M - Z) will from 11:00a.m. - 12:30p.m. On Friday, September 8 the entire class will be for 2 hours (9a.m. - 11a.m.) On Monday, September 11, the entire class will be in for a full-day session. We require adult attendance with each child in all our Pre-K classes on the first two days of school.

Please be advised that on Thursday, September 7 kindergarten is in school for a half-day session. Students will be dismissed at 11:30a.m. from the classroom. Kindergarten will begin a full-day session on Friday, September 8, 2017.

Our regular school day begins at 8:00a.m. and ends at 2:20p.m. Breakfast is available for 2nd - 5th grade beginning at 7:30a.m - 7:55a.m. (PK and K will have a family style breakfast served in the classroom and 1st grade will have breakfast-on-the-go served in the classroom.) Beginning on Monday, September 11 any child in grades K - 5 is permitted to wait in the basement cafeteria at 7:30a.m. with staff (K and 1 will receive breakfast in their classrooms at 8a.m.)

Suggestions for Early Childhood Students/New Students

Try to bring your child to the school and the school playground a day or two before school opens. As you will see from this visit, we have an exceptionally attractive and well-equipped playground. It is likely to appeal to your child.

In discussing the start of the school year with your child, be positive. Tell him or her how much fun school can be. Your child will almost surely like their new school--especially if you present it in an enthusiastic way.

When your child enters the school building, it can be a rather traumatic time for both of you. Try to stay calm, cheerful, and optimistic. Say goodbye with a smile. Remember, this is an adventure for your child, a fascinating beginning.

Our teachers and paraprofessionals are looking forward with great enthusiasm to September 7th.

To assist you in learning your way around the community and to better help you understand your responsibilities as a parent/caregiver, Griselda Hernandez, Parent Coordinator will offer guidance and support to families.

Most important is that everybody deserves an opportunity to show you how great they are at teaching. We are so pleased to welcome our newest faculty members:

Francesca Florio, Kindergarten Teacher

Amanda Mazel, Third Grade Teacher

Adam Kidder, Visual Arts Teacher

I will admit that families selected the RBS because they wanted a particular teacher however I feel that the real strength of the RBS lies in the collective talents of all members on the team. I am always open for suggestions from parents/caregivers once you have provided ample time to transition and get to know the staff. I will not make changes on the first few days of school.

Our goal is to provide all students with the opportunity to excel in academics, athletics, and fine arts so that they may become positive, contributing members of our school and community.

I look forward to working with you this school year. Let's make it the best one ever!

We are near the end of another year of working together. A great deal of progress has occurred this year. Enrichment programs, after school programs and school partnerships are in greater abundance than they were a year ago. An energetic Parent Association continues to spread the “Good New” about the RBS and provides emotional, physical and financial support for the school.

As we work together, I know we will accomplish a great deal more. I want you to know how much I enjoyed working with each of you and how much I appreciate your good work.

You have done a superb job under trying circumstances during our second year as a progressive school. Your ingenuity and dedication in coping with hardships caused by external accountability measures (ADVANCE, MOSL, PPO, QRs, Walkthroughs etc…) have helped our scholars to have an excellent school year. Your love shielded them and you made sure they had a good, safe, productive, and happy school experience.

At the RBS we continued to put emphasis on the quality of academic programs available to all of our scholars. We have demonstrated again this year that our scholars are learning well, and made measurable progress on their writing, social-emotional, and creative skills. Under your direction, many of our scholars have represented the RBS in an outstanding manner (America Scores NY State Liaison—Amir Cummings, Studio in a School Student Artist—Santiago Garcia, Silver Status for the Excellence in School Wellness Award, Respect for All Winners.)

From the moment I came to the RBS in September 2011, I believed that the real strength of the school was its exceptionally able and talented staff. That belief is now a conviction. I hoped you would come through this year, and you came through in a way that exceeded my highest expectations. As a result, the majority of our scholars are challenged across a broad spectrum of classes and well-planned enrichment activities. This is made possible because of the staff’s collective work ethic and a belief that our scholars are capable—physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually—of achievement levels much higher than might be expected elsewhere.

Things look good for next year—not perfect, but good. I think we can prevail. I believe that the people of West Harlem will support a progressive, quality education. I know that we are not the perfect school, that up close there is much that can be improved. Still, I am continually impressed with the community-wide respect that we are afforded as educators. Taxpayers support us, parents/caregivers encourage us, and the scholars, by and large, come to school daily, ready and eager to learn. In truth, our jobs are easier by the absence of distractions and the respect this community holds for its scholars and for learning in general.

I am going to take this opportunity to thank the teachers, paraprofessionals, school aides, parent coordinator, deans, school safety agents, cafeteria workers, custodial staff, district staff, parent coordinator, parent association, bus matrons, school crossing guards, school leadership team, parent classroom representatives, and CBO partners for your good efforts and hard work. We make a difference in the lives of our children and through them I believe we are making the world incrementally a better place for everyone.

It has taken several years of effort, with all of us working together to strengthen our instructional program, to bring us to this point of achievement. This could not have been done without the help and encouragement of citizens such as you. Thank you very much for believing in what we are trying to do.

Enjoy the summer respite. Relax, read a good book, go see a Broadway show (if you get tickets to Hamilton I will join), and enjoy your families and friends.

With the change in the weather and the increase in scholar activities after-school, we are seeing some overall changes in the scholars. Behavior is a little looser, homework is being missed and overall scholars appear to be ready for a summer vacation. The teachers and I have talked with scholars reminding them that we are looking for their best behavior in the classrooms, playground, bus, and all areas of their school day. We expect all scholars to behave in a respectful and safe manner. We are proud of them and their accomplishments and encourage scholars to finish their school year doing their best!

We begin this month by celebrating our wonderful staff and recognizing all mothers. The first week of May (the week of May 1 - 5) is Staff Appreciation Week. One of the nicest gifts a scholar or parent/caregiver can give a staff member is a letter of appreciation for a staff member’s file or a card. I accept letters throughout the school year and during the summer so please feel free to send these in at your convenience.

Thank you to those parents/caregivers who completed the School Survey. The responses from this survey are used to establish priorities for the school like how we can improve communication to parents/caregivers, enriching the existing curriculum and ensuring that the learning environments are inclusive for all scholars.

Many thanks to Mr. Blatman for all of his amazing efforts in sponsoring and coordinating the District 5 STEM Expo being held on Saturday, May 20th. We love seeing all of the projects and are pleasantly surprised to see new explorations! We are thrilled that this STEM Expo provides scholars an opportunity to collaborate on projects where they investigated something they were wondering about. Hats off to our budding scientists!!!

We want to wish all moms a very wonderful Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14th.

There will be no school for scholars on Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day. Thank you to all families who have lost a loved one or who has a loved one currently serving in the armed services on behalf of our country. We recognize the sacrifice that families make in support of loved ones who serve.

Alvaro Cabrera is the parent of a second grade scholar and he has invited all families to participate in an online focus group regarding progressive education. The purpose of this activity is to help answer the question: What should progressive education look like when applied to our school? The ideas that emerge from the forum will be synthesized, summarized and organized by the group facilitator, and handed to the PA board and the school as a contribution to this important ongoing debate. To participate, families can enter whenever your schedule permits, during a period of five days, to post, comment, and answer to other parents. The online group will be open from Wednesday April 26th at 7am, to Monday May 1st at noon.

Please save Saturday, June 3rd to join all of us at the Family Day Spring Festival. The event runs from 12pm – 4pm and we expect a day of fun-filled activities for families.

Spring Break is finally here (NO After-School on April 7th.) It is hard to believe that we have only a few months left in the 2016 -2017 school year. I would like to take a moment to thank you for your hard work this year! You are all vital to the success of students. Whether you are off April 7th – 18th or not, I hope that all of you have the opportunity to reflect, refresh and rejuvenate yourselves with family and friends.

I have to send a special shout-out to my amazing Parents Association. This year this core group has been instrumental in building bridges with our faculty across all grade levels and job titles. Moreover, they have created amazing opportunities for families to be involved and to ensure that parents’/caregivers’ voices are heard. I can’t say thank you enough for all that you do for our school and community.

Your work with the 2nd Floor Book Nook, Sister Circle Women’s Forum, Dance-A-thon Fundraiser, New Signage on the School Garden (Gio did an AWESOME JOB!!!), Family Day in June or just supporting the school makes us great. I realize everyday how lucky I am to have the support of my families. Thank you for continuing to believe in me and my staff. We are on the MOVE!

I participated in a meeting with the superintendent and the executive PA to discuss a myriad of questions and/or concerns. I left feeling optimistic about the future of our school. All kids have access to physical education, arts, music, theater, dance and a reading space (2nd Floor Book Nook Opening, April 7th.) While I love the programs, I can’t wait for the day when we have a certified arts and music teachers on our faculty. This idea is very important because a lot of where our student funding comes from is based on our total enrollment. The conversation about space will continue as we all agree that our school’s needs are changing.

Our projected enrollment for 2017 – 2018 is 304 students. Everyone that is new to our school wonders why families want to join the RBS family (we know that it is for a lot of reasons that families select the RBS.) I believe prospective and current families know that our kids are loved, nurtured, supported, and encouraged to be the best version of themselves. They know that somebody believes in them!

Many of our pre-kindergarten families were shocked as I was that they were not given an offer for kindergarten in the first round of notification letters. This was the first time something liked this has happened since I’ve been principal where all offers are made only to zoned families. After April 7th I will have a better a sense of who can be called from the waitlist. In the past most of our pre-kindergarten families were removed from the waitlist and offered a seat.

If you are concerned that your 3rd – 5th grade scholar is in danger to not meet promotional standards, then you must set-up an appointment to speak with the classroom teacher, Ms. Hernandez and myself. Our school’s policy is to use a holistic approach of examining student work samples (reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, science) from September – June [students with IEPs and/or ELLs will be evaluated according to DOE policies.]

Some 3rd – 5th grade students may require summer school to be able to demonstrate their readiness to complete work at the next grade level. Summer School dates are July 5- August 10 (8am – 2:30pm/ Monday – Thursday.)

Important Dates

Ø School Leadership Team April 4th

Ø Fresh Air Fund Summer Camp for Parents April 5th

Ø NYC Ballet Recital for Grades 1 and 2 April 7th

Ø 2nd Floor RBS Book Nook Opening April 7th

Ø NO After-School April 7th

Ø Spring Recess (School is Closed) April 10th

Ø School Resumes April 19th

Ø Math State Exams for Parents April 20th

Ø Cookshop for Families April 21st

Ø Affordable Housing and Credit Building for Parents April 27th

***Math State Tests are May 2nd – 4th

Up to 40 percent of children in our country experience outdoor allergies. If welcoming the new season means welcoming more sneezing and sniffling around your house, then your kids might be suffering from allergies. As the weather changes and becomes warmer we will spend more time outdoors. Seasonal allergies occur mainly with pollen so it comes from plants, weeds, grasses and trees. Typically, it comes from trees early in the spring, so in April and May.

In kids typically, we sometimes see a myriad of problems that are related to the congestion [caused by allergies]. Fatigue, especially during the daytime, poor concentration in class, learning problems and other difficulty in class can all be related to nasal congestion, because kids won't be sleeping as well at night. And then during the daytime, they're blowing their nose a lot and experiencing other symptoms. It can make having a good day very challenging. Please inform your child’s teacher and the nurse about any allergies your child might have.

Women’s History Month is celebrated in March. In the United States, Women's History Month traces its beginning back to the first International Women’s Day in 1911. Our country finally found it appropriate to acknowledge a group of citizens who have historically been silenced. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us also lift up the voices, contributions and bravery of women in the margins. This Women’s History Month, the RBS is devoting time for our celebrating and amplifying women’s contributions to academia, art and popular culture.

Spring is approaching and learning is in full swing here at the RBS. As you may know, this is a time of year that students make the most academic and social learning improvements. Make school a priority. Very soon the weather will change with spring right around the corner. It can be challenging to keep our children focused on learning. What can you do to make school a top priority for your child? Keep these ideas in mind:

Make attendance your number one priority. Let your child know that unless they are sick, they must attend school (and be on time.) Make an effort to schedule appointment after school hours.

Show you care. Talk about school activities and projects. Make an effort to attend as many school events as you can.

Remain positive. Try to set a positive example for your child, even when your own day has been challenging. If you show a positive attitude about your work, your child may feel better about their own.

One important reminder is that our school has a wellness policy which reinforces good nutrition during the school day. Please be mindful about sending beverages and foods for snack or lunch that are giving your child(ren) the healthy nutrition they need to be productive, engaged learners all throughout the day. Candy, soda, sugary drinks, and potato chips are foods to be avoided, and staff will also help remind students that these foods should stay at home.

As we move closer to Parent-Teacher Conferences ( March 9th) educators are often asked one important question, “What do you think I can do at home to help my child be more successful at school?” My answer is very simple, “Read with your child every day. Let them see you read.” Before, during, and after the reading, encourage your child, begin a discussion about the story, ask questions, visualize the story, offer information, share personal thoughts, and connect the story to real-life situations. Make the time an enjoyable experience and let your child see that reading is fun. Celebrate this special time together!

Also, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be venturing into the first state assessment cycle with the English Language Arts test on March 28 – 30. During the week that your child is testing, make certain that your son/daughter rests properly each night, arrives for school on time, and is not distracted at home. Students test in the morning and are expected to report to their designated testing room no later than 8:00a.m. Students are expected to bring (2) sharpened, number two pencils. No personal devices may be used during the assessment.

Everyday boys and girls are leaving their coats, jackets, sweaters, hats, and lunch boxes on the school grounds. Those items without student’s names are picked up and brought to our lost and found located in front of the office. During the school year when the pile gets high we donate these items to missions and shelters. During spring break we will be donating any items left in our lost and found to a mission in Harlem. Please be sure to check or have your child check the lost and found by Friday, April 7th.

At this point in my career, I’m considered a veteran principal (6 years and counting…) Yes, maybe sometimes I don’t completely fit the part, but that’s part of always being a life-long learner. As I’m settling into my role as principal, I realize how much students, families and faculty have done for me. And, for that, I need to truly thank you—something that I don’t do enough.

Parents/caregivers, thank you for showing me what I’m capable of. For giving me the support that I needed to build a dream of a progressive school in West Harlem. Also, for believing that I have the talent to reach our goal of making our progressive school a successful learning community for all.

RBS staff, thank you for standing with me, before, during and after every phase of our transformation. For making me realize that I can put more time into my work and improve my performance. Thank you for standing up for me from the sidelines and checking our naysayers when they thought that progressive education would not work in our community. You’ve shown me to never back down and give in to the loudest voices in the room.

RBS students, thank you for being the best selves. For sharing your interests, love of life, sense of humor, excitement for every experience, ability to show compassion and empathy, and courage to look fear in the face until it backs down.

Without kids, families and staff, I’d be nowhere the principal I am—and the person I’m still working on becoming.

This month I would like to focus on the multiple ways our parents, caregivers, and families get involved in school and how important that is. New this month at the Parent Association meetings is an opportunity for the school administration and faculty to join the conversation on making the RBS one family.

Finally, know that you do not have to wait for a parent forum or parent conferences to call if you have questions, concerns, or needs. We are here to serve your children and your families. Please contact your child’s teacher, the office staff, or me if you want to set up a meeting to discuss any issues that arise. As always, THANK YOU for being our partners in this important work helping your child enjoy learning and prepare for a bright future!

With the second term well under way, we want to thank everyone for your continued support of our scholars, teachers, and school as we collectively strive to provide optimal opportunities for learning each and every day. In addition, we want to also thank our Parent Association for working hard to make our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Open House Events a success. This year, instead of staff leading the tour we allowed our parents/caregivers to lead the open house events for prospective families. The last Pre-Kindergarten Open House Event will take place on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 10:00a.m.

Over the next few weeks, parents/caregivers will work to transform our second floor showcases into library nooks. Phil Hubbard (Columbia Secondary School Teacher) assisted with the design and construction. Thank you to all the families that have donated books for our library nooks. Behind the Book donated many books to start the library nook. We expect that we will have the RBS Library Book Nooks Opening in mid- March.

RBS administration and faculty value the important contributions families make towards a scholar’s success in school. There is no question about—success at school starts at home. Families are the most significant influence in a scholar’s schooling. Families model both spoken and silent language in front of their scholars. One of the great hallmarks of a great school is the partnership between the school and families who work together for the best interest of all RBS scholars. Make an effort to participate in the Parent Association.

It is important that parents/caregivers speak with your scholar’s teacher about their readiness to do work at the next grade level. Promotion in doubt notices will be sent home for students not making progress that reflect they are on track to meet their grade level performance standards. Promotion decisions are made by me based on multiple measures of student readiness for the next grade level in English and math.

First, teachers review scholar’s work from throughout the school year to identify scholars who may not be ready for the work of the next grade in English language arts and/or math, even with support. Scholars whose work shows that they are ready for the next grade are promoted by the principal in June.

Next, teachers complete promotion portfolios for scholars whose work shows that they may not be ready for the next grade, even with support. The teacher scores the portfolio using DOE guidelines. I make the promotion decision based on the portfolio results.

If a (3rd – 5th grade scholar) is not promoted in June based on his or her portfolio results, he or she is recommended for summer school. At the end of summer school, the school completes another review of scholar work, and I make the final promotion decision.

Please make an appointment to meet with your scholar’s teacher if you feel your child’s promotion is at-risk. Teachers are available every Tuesday from 2:20p.m. – 3:00p.m. or during their preparation periods.

Family has been the foundation of African American culture from times of slavery through the turbulent days of forced racial segregation. Family is not only defined by our blood lines but by our shared commitment to each other as members of this community. In the month of February we recognize the central role of African Americans in American history like Dr. Ralph J. Bunche. Our theme this year is “A Time to Learn and Remember.” Ralph Bunche, Barack Obama, Charles Drew, Carter G. Woodson, W.E. B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Nat Turner, Garrett Morgan, Booker T. Washington, Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Ida B. Wells, Phyllis Wheatley, Ronald McNair, Madame C.J. Walker, Mae Jemison and Michelle Obama. This year the school is sponsoring a forum on how our school can create an effective learning environment for boys of color.

The world in which our children grow up today is increasingly diverse. All people have a unique story, but all stories, like all people, have many things in common. And nowhere is this more apparent than in classrooms at the RBS. During Black History Month, we hope you'll take the opportunity to celebrate the diversity and commonality of our school and its community members. One wonderful thing about our school is that sense our scholars are enthusiastic about learning and understanding another’s history and experience.

Scholars need to be provided time to explore their world and experience the joy of discovery. As we celebrate this month, it is helpful to keep in mind the contributions made by all ethnic groups but more importantly African Americans. School and home must work together to build skills and knowledge, develop a strong sense of self-worth and reinforce values.

At the beginning of this school year we set out to increase our attendance rate to be over 92%. It is with great sadness that I report that we are not meeting our goal and below citywide expectations for an elementary school. We continue to share with families that attendance and lateness concerns negatively impacts a scholar’s performance in class.

TIPS for Families

·Let your scholar know that you think school is important.

·Set a regular bedtime and enforce it.

·Provide your scholar with plenty of time to get ready for school.

·Provide an alternate transportation plan for getting your scholar to school on time.

·Make sure your scholar arrives at school on time daily. Classes begin promptly at 8:00a.m. Scholars should arrive at least ten minutes early.

·Plan medical, dental, and other appointments before and after school if possible. If appointments must be during the school day, plan them so that your scholar does not miss the same class every time.

·Request a meeting with the school’s Attendance Team or Parent Coordinator to discuss your scholar’s attendance concerns.

If your scholar should arrive late to school, please come in to the main office and sign them in. If this is not possible, you may send your scholar with a note from your, doctor/dental/court excuse slip to let us know your scholar will be arriving after 8:00a.m. Our scholars would not be as successful as they are without your support.

New York City Education Neglect Law states that parents/caregivers who fail to have their children attend school are subject to the following:

·Neglect charges may be filed against the parent/caregiver;

·Students may be referred to the Family Court and other community based interventions

There will be no classes during February 20 – 24 due to the Mid-Winter Recess. All scholars are expected to be back on Monday, February 27, 2017.

Happy New Year!!! It may be 5 degrees and windy in Harlem, however we have the comfort of watching snowflakes falling while sipping on a delicious marshmallow filled cup of hot chocolate. I love WINTER!!! Having survived the first term, we stand ready to finish the school year with confidence. My hope is that you too, will look forward to the challenges of the new term. Build on your achievements and put away your past disappointments. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to refresh—whether you want to jumpstart your personal goals, make meaningful decisions at home and with your school work, or find your inner-center. This is the perfect time to stop playing old messages about who we think we are and make a bold statement to record a new, improved message.

The application period opens January 17, 2017. NYC families with children born in 2012 can apply to kindergarten for the 2017 – 2018 school year until January 13, 2017. Families can apply one of three ways:

Pre-kindergarten families that have students enrolled at the RBS must re-apply for admission to kindergarten and are included in the priority group. New York City children born in 2013 are eligible to apply for our pre-kindergarten program. We are hosting an open house for prospective families on January 10th. It is our desire to share with the community all the amazing things taking place here at the RBS. We earned the distinction of being rated among the best early childhood programs in the city and now we need to open our doors and share how we earned that rating.

Unfortunately, during the winter months many schools across New York City notice a drop in their attendance average. Parents/caregivers, please continue to reinforce good attendance habits with your son/daughter. Attendance and accuracy of attendance is extremely important in school. Excessive absences may result in missing work, which is difficult to make up, losing continuity in school work, and poor grades during the grading period.

It is our desire that the second half of the school year be excellent for all. If you need to meet with the assistant principal, parent coordinator, attendance coordinator, guidance counselor, deans or myself do not hesitate to contact us. We suggest that parents/caregivers call first to schedule appointments before coming in so that you will not experience any delays.

Throughout 2017 you will see changes based on feedback from families, all driven by your desire to make the RBS the shining star of Harlem. Every step we take in this journey we will do together to make our community stronger, wiser and better for our children.

Stay warm and know that sounds of birds chirping is not that far away.

As we end 2016, I would like to thank you for your commitment to the Ralph Bunche School and to the belief in a public school education. The success we have experienced since the opening of the school year owes a great deal to parents/caregivers and families like yours. I wish you a restful winter break and hope you enjoy this time with your scholar (s). For the New Year, I wish you health and happiness and hope the winter recess provides a myriad of opportunities for you and your scholar (s) to do things you might not be able to accomplish when school is in session.

Our scholars and staff have accomplished a lot during our first few months of school. Professional development helps our teachers dive deeper into the progressive philosophy of teaching and learning. Our progressive vision is designed to use a child’s natural curiosity to drive their learning inside of the classroom. The standards help teachers design the best lessons and help scholars set goals for success. Our professional development focused on how to help teachers build an environment where scholars can effectively engage in a wide range of rigorous, content-rich conversation, safe, supportive and collaborative. Scholars learn through play and when they have choice. At the Ralph Bunche School our instructional focus is on developing writing strategies.

We believe in the importance of family traditions and holidays, and sharing them with one another at school. We welcome families to teach us about their heritages, thus strengthening the connection between home and school. We like to involve the children in hands-on activities.

We encourage each of you to join us in our celebrations. Even if you can’t be with us, please share your family’s traditions, recipes for holidays and any special items that reflect your heritage.

Santa’s Story Time & Christmas Around the World Family Event—December 19th

Parent Circle of Security Series—December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd

**Parent Engagement meetings are scheduled each Tuesday from 2:20pm – 3:35pm. You are invited to meet with your scholar’s teacher to discuss the learning expectations for the term and to address any issues or concerns.

Every year, the Ralph Bunche School sponsors an activity to assist those less fortunate. Ms. Conwell and Ms. Samson are raising funds for the disaster relief in Haiti. As scholars help others, they are learning important character-building lessons about compassion, service, and empathy. We are asking scholars to donate $1 and bring items like pencils, paper, notebooks. All donated items can be dropped in room 108 or room 214. Please do not make deliveries while class and/or counseling is in session.

I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. Our last day in school is Friday, December 23rd (All Ralph Bunch School based after-school programs are cancelled on this day too!!!!) During winter break there will be a myriad of opportunities to create a stronger bond with your scholar (s) and continue to support their academic growth and success. The holidays are good times for story telling around the dinner table or routines like bedtime reading that cultivate connections between home and school expectations. Young scholars do best with regular schedules, and I encourage you to prepare for their return to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 by instilling in them an understanding about the importance of being rested and ready to learn.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from our Ralph Bunche School family to yours.

Even though the weather keeps changing on us and the leaves are falling with brilliant colors of orange, red and yellow to decorate our school grounds the academic process here at the RBS is staying constant. The teachers and scholars have established their routines and procedures for class lessons. November is an important time for us all to reflect on the many blessings bestowed upon us. I am certainly thankful for the many blessings in my life, including working with the amazing scholars, parents/caregivers, teachers, and support staff at the Ralph Bunche School. This being our second year as a progressive school is exciting because I am thankful that I have 100% support from the educators that I lead. When you take on an endeavor like this you need to know that you have the support of your staff and they have taken a leap of faith with me that this is the right approach for our school and the community.

Thomas Jefferson said, “Education is the foundation of democracy.” The importance of participating in the democratic process was instilled in me at a very early age. Every election year, my house was filled with lively political discourse as my parents debated the important issues of the day like Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, or free breakfast in schools. They conveyed to their children the serious implications of political action.

My mother had the responsibility of insuring that voting in our home was the priority on Election Day. She would leave home with me and my twin sister along for the journey. My mother would remind us of the sacrifices made and instilled in us this responsibility of honoring our civic duty. We would sit in awe as we learned about a time when people of color or women were denied this right. Then she would remind us that when we grew older, we would have the opportunity to exercise our rights and responsibilities as a citizen of this great country.

I still take those rights and responsibilities very seriously--especially as a principal. One of the jobs of educators is to ensure that our students graduate and enter college with the ability to think critically. The classroom is a training ground where children learn how to participate in the democratic process. Through critical thinking, problem solving, respectful debate, and exposure to diverse opinions, children become informed citizens who learn how to ask pertinent questions, formulate defensible opinions to complex issues, and understand the responsibilities and limitations of power. Opportunities like turn and talk, Socratic seminar, and other group interactions teach our students that active participation is the most effective means for change. We want our students to begin to think about themselves as stewards of this amazing democracy.

An African proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Whether you can give an hour, time once a week or once a month, we need you here. If it works to participate as a classroom representative, Parent Association meeting, orSLT meeting, we will make sure that your time is well spent. You just need to get involved. Contact our Parent Coordinator, Griselda Hernandez, and she will assist in providing you the details about the meetings. Aliya Thomas and Tomoi Zeimer, Parent Association Co-Presidents have done a superb job working hard to strengthen the bond between home and school and they are always seeking additional support for the school community. Democracy is not only something that we talk about it is alive in our actions. We believe in all children having access to a quality education that allows them the opportunity to fully participate in a global society.

The RBS Parent Association and Office of the Parent Coordinator were extremely generous during the Book-A-Ween Parade on October 31st. Thank you for donating treats and toys. The parade was such a success because families created a safe, warm environment for our scholars to show off their favorite storybook characters. It was great to see scholars discuss why they selected their character based on the character’s strengths. Thank you also to the parents/caregivers who volunteered to supervise Book-A-Ween parties in the classrooms.

During the October 28th assembly, scholars participated in an assembly focusing on Hispanic and Latino Heritage. The performers at our assembly were scholars from PK – 2nd grade. Kudos to the 3rd – 5th grade families that donated food for the food tasting event. When scholars value diversity, they become responsible world citizens.

I am grateful to work with a committed group educators that are always striving to improve their practices. We are fortunate to have many great academic institutions supporting us in this work. BMCC has always had a relationship with the RBS. They have placed their student teachers here to gain the experience of what it is like to be an educator in a West Harlem public school. Two professors (one has a child enrolled at the RBS—Rebecca) approached me about transforming the RBS into a model school with the assistance of the BMCC faculty. BMCC just received a grant to implement a Comprehensive Educator Empowerment Program for the RBS. Our work will focus on aligning our curriculum, teaching practices and the use of authentic assessments to develop a more coherent progressive program. Many thanks to Rebecca and her associate Cara for always believing in what the RBS could be!!! We look forward to this new partnership.

Recent research has found that regular attendance and arriving to school on time is crucial to a child’s success, and that even a minimal number of absences or lateness during the school year can have a serious impact on a scholar’s ability to achieve. If you have any questions or need any assistance please contact our attendance coordinator (Benjy Blatman) at 212-666-6400. You may also speak with Ms. Hernandez, Parent Coordinator.